do not postpone today's work for tomorrow

do not postpone today's work for tomorrow . 2016

i'm happy to share with you an illustration i worked on for a recent private commission. i was asked to create an artwork with the arabic phrase "لا تؤجل عمل اليوم إلى الغد", which translates to 'do not postpone today's work for tomorrow'.

the client wanted the phrase worked into my style of illustration. the end result is an illustration of a trolley handler (an iconic visual you find in souks and older parts of dubai) moving packages with the phrase written on them. the illustration was hand drawn, digitally coloured, and presented as a final digital print.

i hope the client enjoys the artwork. and to whoever's reading this, i hope you enjoy it too.

armani exchange

armani exchange t-shirts designed by khalid mezaina . 2016

armani exchange dubai t-shirt designed by khalid mezaina . 2016

armani exchange uae t-shirt designed by khalid mezaina . 2016

i had the opportunity to collaborate with armani exchange in dubai on a line of uae themed t-shirts for men, as part of their ramadan collection. i worked on two main designs - one with the word 'dubai' on the front, and the second includes a uae flag for a front pocket, 'ghutra' patterned sleeves, with armani exchange's logo in arabic on the back. both t-shirts are available in both black and white.

although very different to the work i usually do, i think the end result is still quite cool. i wanted these tees to be something i could wear, and not look tacky like many other uae themed tees from other brands currently out there. the designs i worked on are (i hope) contemporary, minimal and cool designs that every guy will enjoy.

if you're looking for some new clothes to wear, or looking for a cool present for a friend, head to any armani exchange store around dubai and the uae to get your hands on some tees.

t-shirts displayed in armani exchange stores in dubai (photo by jihan mezaina) . 2016

t-shirts displayed in armani exchange stores in dubai (photo by jihan mezaina) . 2016

t-shirts displayed in armani exchange stores in dubai (photo by jihan mezaina) . 2016

ramadanization

'ramadanization' exhibition invite . 2016

'television of the month' gif . 2016

'ramadanza' wallpaper design . 2016

'ramadanza' wallpaper studio process . 2016

'ramadanza' wallpaper installation in gallery . 2016

'television of the month' final installation . 2016

'television of the month' final installation . 2016

'television of the month' final installation . 2016

'television of the month' final installation . 2016

it's that time of year again! wishing all the krossbreed lovers a ramadan kareem. for the holy month, i've participated in ductac's second edition, and first exhibition of 'ramadanization'.

the 'ramadanization' show features works by artists reflecting on their own significant memories and experiences of ramadan. i've contributed with a piece titled 'television of the month' – a living room style installation which focuses on the act of watching tv during the holy month. to me, ramadan is not only a time of discipline and reflection, but also ironically, the month where excess is most apparent. this can be seen through the endless advertisements and programmes on tv. gathering in front of the television post-iftar is a family tradition that still continues in our household. i loved programmes of the past like comedy sketch shows and fawazeers (musical variety shows) from the arab world. nowadays, theres been a shift with the content on tv. soap operas are depressing, and everything seems to be negative, conflicting, and confusing. through my work, i invite the audience to reflect upon the nature of the media we consume during ramadan, and to consider if any of it is integral to the holy month itself.

the final artwork includes a looped series of illustrations about past and present tv moments i've been exposed to, as well as a patterned wallpaper design, and a sofa to sit on and enjoy the visuals on screen. i hope people who've lived in the region long enough are familiar with what they see and reflect on their experiences around tv viewing during the month of ramadan.

if you haven't made it yet, 'ramadanization' is up until 9 july 2016, at ductac, mall of the emirates. it's a good show which really tackles the meaning of ramadan and represents an honest portrayal of what ramadan means to each exhibiting artist. for more information, check out the online platform of 'ramadanization' here.

they see me rovein'

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

i'd like to share a recent commission i worked on for rove hotels downtown dubai, the first of a new hotel chain by emaar properties. my friends and art consultants at capsule arts were responsible for supplying appropriate and cool artworks for rove's unique concept, and i am happy to be one of the selected artists.

i was commissioned to work on a mural for the corridor of the hotel's laundry room, which also includes the male and female prayer rooms. the mural i illustrated shows an urban alley typically found around older areas in dubai, consisting of a traditional laundry shop front, and a couple of traditional patterned doors. details along the mural also include cracks on the walls, windows, plants and street animals to add character. the end result was a digitally printed mural which covers the whole wall. i am really proud of the end result and how it successfully works in the corridor, and compliments the aesthetics and artworks around the rest of the hotel. if you ever stop by rove, do make your way to the mezzanine floor where the laundromat mural is situated.

i end this post with rove downtown dubai's 'cabinet of curiosities', a wall of collected artworks and objects themed around zabeel (the area surrounding the hotel), on the ground floor lobby. my prints are included in this really cool wall, from my 'five times a day' and 'a krossbreed fantasy' print series.

rove downtown dubai's 'cabinet of curiosities' . 2016

we met on the dance floor

'we met on the dance floor' by khalid mezaina & azim al ghussein . 2016

people who know me know my love for dancehall and afrobeat music. over the years, my thursday evenings have been occupied exploring dubai's many african clubs and dancehall nights. to me, the music genre is so lively, colourful and euphoric. i personally lose control on the dance floor when the music comes on! i have made new friends along the way, connecting with our love for the music and dancing the night away.

i've always wanted to share this story, especially now with a couple of dancehall and african clubs closing down, and friends i've met moving away. i collaborated yet again with my super talented friend azim al ghussein on a mini-comic titled 'we met on the dance floor'. story and pencils were done by yours truly, while inks and letters were done by azim. the end product is something we're both very proud of.

i'll keep this post short, and let you read the comic above. hope you enjoy it. if anyone's interested in owning a physical copy, i've printed a limited quantity, 14.8 x 21 cm (a5), priced at aed 20. get in touch and i'll hook you up.

i'd like to dedicate this mini comic to all the dancehall nights and african clubs in dubai, the djs and bands, my friends, and everyone i've met on the dance floor.

'we met on the dance floor' mini comic . 2016

drag queen realness

rupaul . 2016

bianca del rio . 2016

bob the drag queen . 2016

katya zamolodchikova . 2016

latrice royale . 2016

willam belli . 2016

here's a fun post for the weekend! i've recently been commissioned to illustrate a few drag queens from one of my favourite reality tv shows, rupaul's drag race.

apart from illustrating queens for the commission, i took the opportunity to work on a few of my favourite as well. above you can see the queen of all queens, rupaul, as well as my two favourites bianca del rio and bob the drag queen. the commissioned queens were katya zamolodchikova, latrice royale and willam belli. 

i hope drag race fans (and others) enjoy these portraits. might do some more queens in the near future.

made in tashkeel 2016

'made in tashkeel 2016' logo designed by myneandyours . 2016

observations series at 'made in tashkeel' . 2016

observations series at 'made in tashkeel' . 2016

observations series at 'made in tashkeel' . 2016

i am happy to announce my participation in this year's 'made in tashkeel' annual summer exhibition, showcasing the works of members created at tashkeel over the past year. i am exhibiting my 'observations series', a collection of textiles i created in 2015. all five textiles shown above were created at tashkeel, in the textile printing studio. 'observations series' was exhibited in abu dhabi last year, and i am happy it is being exhibited in dubai this year. so if you missed it, or would like to see it again, now's your chance to check it out.

'made in tashkeel 2016' opens today (25th may) and runs until the 1st september 2016. there are some amazing artworks ranging from paintings, photography, fashion, comic book illustrations, sculptures and mixed media. for more information on 'made in tashkeel 2016', head here. enjoy the show!